Artists may be awarded grants

Steamboat Springs  Poor, starving artists could be getting a monetary break for their artwork.

Under the Steamboat Springs Community Committee for the Arts, the Steamboat Springs Arts Council is giving a hand to artists through grant money awarded for 2001. Art and cultural grants are awarded for art in education, organization development, project development (organized or individual) or individual artist fellowships.

The committee's purpose is to expand the scope of cultural activities and services in Routt County by establishing new programs, address new community needs and develop artistic skills of organization leaders and artists, among many others.

Grants typically do not exceed $2,000 and will exist for one year from date of approval, said Debi Lawrence, assistant for marketing and development for the Arts Council.

"This is for artists to promote their type of art to the community," Lawrence said of the yearly grants given to Routt County residents.

Grant applicants must write a proposed plan for where the money will go and how it will be used. Along with various rules and regulations, grant applications cannot be used to reduce incurred debt, for fund raising or benefits, for prize money or scholarships, for endowments or to purchase buildings or land.

Grant applications will be reviewed by the Arts Council and then further investigated by the Community Committee.